Latest news with #digitalafterlife
Khaleej Times
06-08-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Digital afterlife: What happens to your data when you die?
We live in an age where life doesn't simply end when the heart stops beating. For many, a substantial part of their identity lives online, in the form of cloud drives, cryptocurrency wallets, email inboxes, social media profiles, and biometric data. These digital fragments of a life once lived linger long after death, raising urgent questions: Who owns this data? Who should have access to it? And how can it be preserved, deleted, or transferred in accordance with someone's wishes? This emerging challenge is often referred to as the 'digital afterlife'. As our digital footprints expand, the concept of inheritance is rapidly evolving; no longer confined to physical assets such as homes, jewellery, or bank accounts. In the UAE and beyond, individuals, families, lawyers, and regulators are starting to confront the very real complications of managing and protecting digital assets after death. The rise of digital legacies From photos stored in cloud servers to NFTs and virtual currencies, digital belongings are increasingly seen as part of one's estate. In a world where more of our identities and wealth are virtual, the question isn't just who inherits your assets, but also who can access and manage your online presence after you're gone. David Yates, Partner and Head of Digital & Data at Al Tamimi & Company, says that before we can decide how to pass on digital assets, we must first define what they actually are. "It is important to be clear about what we mean about 'digital assets' or 'data assets',' he explains. 'These assets comprise any data set or data combination which has value as an asset, including cryptocurrencies, non-fungible tokens, real world asset tokens, fiat-referenced tokens, data collected in a social media account, data collected in a cloud storage account, and email accounts.' However, not all of these are recognised under the law in the same way. 'Critically, not all these assets are recognised as 'property' under local law,' says Yates. 'Data, generally speaking, is not property. A digital asset will only comprise property, capable of being owned and bequeathed, if there is a law which affords that type of digital asset a property right.' How the UAE law is adapting In recent years, the UAE has made notable progress in recognising and regulating digital assets. One of the most significant developments is the Digital Assets Law introduced in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), which officially came into effect in 2024. Known as DIFC Law No. 2 of 2024, this law expressly recognises digital assets as property, with a focus on cryptocurrencies and tokenised assets. This legal distinction is crucial, once recognised as property, these assets can be included in wills and estate plans. 'The law provides the service of a 'digital assets will' which allows the digital assets to be allocated to beneficiaries,' Yates notes. This type of will operates within a clearer legal framework that supports transfer of ownership, custody arrangements, and the title of these assets. Beyond the DIFC, multiple authorities across the UAE are stepping up efforts to regulate the space. The Central Bank and the Securities and Commodities Authority have begun regulating payment tokens and investment-related virtual assets respectively. Meanwhile, the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) in Dubai has set up a dedicated licensing regime for the virtual asset industry, and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has implemented a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) foundation framework. Ras Al Khaimah has also joined the fold with the launch of the RAK Digital Assets Oasis, a legal and economic zone tailored to digital asset companies. This patchwork of laws and zones highlights the UAE's proactive stance on digital innovation but also reveals the complexities that can arise for families trying to settle a loved one's digital estate. Why access matters more than ownership While property laws are essential, practical control over digital assets often hinges on access. Who has the login credentials, passwords, or private keys needed to retrieve the data? In many cases, valuable digital assets are lost forever because no one knows how to access them. Yates emphasises that even if a digital asset isn't formally recognised as property under local law, it can still be passed on if there's access. 'The key to this is access and control,' he says. 'The executor of a will can be given access to a social media account, or cloud storage facility, and instructed to take certain steps in relation to the data stored there, either deleting it, saving it, or handing it to someone else.' This introduces the concept of 'digital succession planning,' in which individuals proactively document all digital accounts, login details, encryption keys, and wishes regarding the fate of their digital presence. Without this planning, even assets with monetary value, such as crypto wallets, can become inaccessible, locked in digital limbo. Estate planners are increasingly urging clients to maintain a 'digital asset inventory,' which lists all their online accounts and relevant access information. Some even recommend using digital vaults or password managers that can be transferred to executors under specific instructions. Bridging civil and Sharia law in inheritance Inheritance law in the UAE is influenced by both civil and Sharia legal systems. Traditionally, these frameworks were designed for tangible assets. But as digital wealth grows, the challenge is adapting these systems to reflect contemporary realities. In civil law jurisdictions within the UAE, particularly those operating in financial free zones like DIFC and ADGM, testators can distribute digital assets more freely via wills and trusts, especially when these assets are recognised as property. In contrast, inheritance under Sharia principles, which apply by default to Muslims in the UAE, has specific rules on asset distribution that may not currently account for the nuances of digital assets. Lawyers believe that the space is evolving. While there is still legal ambiguity around how Sharia courts view certain digital belongings, the growing regulatory frameworks offer new avenues for individuals to incorporate digital assets into their broader estate plans. The future of digital legacy planning As more people conduct their lives, and livelihoods, online, questions about how we prepare for our digital afterlife are likely to become more mainstream. Already, major tech platforms like Google and Apple allow users to nominate legacy contacts or set account inactivity protocols. Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram let users memorialise profiles or request deletion after death. Yet, despite these tools, many users still don't think about, or plan for, what will happen to their digital lives. This oversight could leave families in distress, struggling to retrieve sentimental data or dealing with unresolved financial assets locked in digital accounts. Law firms, tech providers, cloud platforms, and regulators all have a role to play in shaping public awareness and setting standards. Yates believes legal professionals must lead the way in bridging the knowledge gap. 'Legacy planning should include digital asset inventory and access information like private keys and the wallet information,' he advises. 'In this way, valuable (and sometimes personal) assets can be handled in accordance with the wishes of the deceased.' Planning for tomorrow Managing your digital afterlife means taking control of what you leave behind online. Today, our memories, finances, and identities exist digitally, making it essential to plan how these assets are handled. While UAE laws are evolving, the real responsibility lies with us to think ahead, communicate our wishes, and make informed choices about our digital presence. This is more than just a legal issue; it's deeply personal. Protecting your digital legacy means ensuring your online life is treated with care and respect, reflecting your values long after you're gone.
Fast Company
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Fast Company
What Buddhism would say about AI avatars of the dead
In a story in the Buddhist canon, a grief-stricken mother named Kisa Gautami loses her only child and carries the body around town, searching for some way to resurrect the child. When she encounters the Buddha, he asks her to collect several mustard seeds from a family that has never experienced death. Not surprisingly, Kisa Gautami is unable to find a single such family. She buries her child and decides to cultivate a spiritual life. I thought of Kisa Gautami's story when I first encountered the 2020 Korean documentary ' Meeting You,' in which virtual reality technology is used to reunite a grieving mother, Jang Ji-sung, with her deceased 7-year-old daughter, Nayeon. While the virtual reunion was moving to witness, I wondered whether it was truly helping the mother to heal, or whether it was deepening an avoidance of grief and of the truth. Since the documentary first aired, the business of digitally resurrecting the deceased has grown significantly. People are now using AI to create 'grief bots,' which are simulations of deceased loved ones that the living can converse with. There has even been a case where an AI-rendered video of a deceased victim has appeared to deliver a court statement asking for the maximum sentence for the person who took their life. As a Buddhist studies scholar who has experienced several bereavements this year, I have turned to Buddhist teachings to reflect on how creating a digital afterlife for loved ones may inadvertently enhance our suffering, and what alternative ways of grieving Buddhism might offer. Buddhism's view on suffering According to Buddhist thought, the root of all suffering is clinging to illusions. This clinging creates karma that perpetuates negative cycles—for oneself and others—which endure lifetimes. In Mahayana Buddhism, the path to liberate oneself from this suffering begins by becoming a bodhisattva, someone who devotes their life to the liberation of self and others. Mahayana Buddhism, which introduced the idea of celestial bodhisattvas, is the most widely practiced form of Buddhism, particularly in East Asia and the Tibetan Himalayan regions. In the ' 37 Practices of All the Bodhisattvas,' the 14th-century author Gyelse Tokme Zangpo wrote: The practice of all the bodhisattvas is to let go of grasping When encountering things one finds pleasant or attractive, Consider them to be like rainbows in the summer skies – Beautiful in appearance, yet in truth, devoid of any substance. A digital avatar of the deceased may provide temporary comfort, but it may distort reality in an unhealthy way and intensify our attachment to an illusion. Interactions with a griefbot that responds to our every request may also diminish our memories of the deceased by creating an inauthentic version of who they were. Grief as a catalyst for compassion In the tradition of Buddhism that I specialize in, called the Great Perfection —a tradition of Vajrayana Buddhism, which is a branch of Mahayana—uncomfortable feelings such as grief are considered precious opportunities to cultivate spiritual insight. In a text called Self-liberating Meditation, a 19th century mendicant teacher of the Great Perfection known as Patrul Rinpoche wrote: 'No matter what kind of thoughts arise—be they good or bad, positive or negative, happy or sad—don't indulge them or reject them, but settle, without altering, in the very mind that thinks.' The Great Perfection contends that all of our emotions are like temporary clouds, and that our true nature is awareness, like the blue sky behind the clouds. Grief and other challenging emotions should not be altered or suppressed but allowed to transform in their own time. In a culture where we are taught that negative emotions should be eliminated or pushed aside, not pushing away grief becomes a practice of great kindness toward oneself. By cultivating this awareness of our emotions, grief becomes a catalyst for compassion toward others. In Buddhism, compassion is the seed of awakening to the truth of interdependence—the fact that none of us exist as discrete beings but are deeply interconnected with all other beings and life forms. Communal rituals 49-day Buddhist service, common to the Great Perfection and other Buddhist traditions. Many Buddhists believe that it takes 49 days for the consciousness of the deceased to transition into their next life. During this time, the family sets up a special altar and recites prayers for the deceased, often with the support of ordained monks and nuns. Practicing generosity toward others is also recommended to accumulate merit for the deceased. These communal rituals provide much-needed outlets, time and support for processing grief and having it witnessed by others. The time and attention given to the grief process sharply contrasts to the situation in the United States, where bereavement leave is often limited to three to five days. Deepening relationship with impermanence In opting for digital avatars, we may undermine what Buddhism would consider to be critical moments for genuine transformation and connection. When I think of the family and friends who have passed away this year, I empathize with the desire to hear their voices again, or to have conversations that provide closure where there was none. Rather than turning to a technological fix that promises a reunion with the deceased, I choose to deepen my relationship with impermanence and to savor the fleeting moments that I have with those I love now. As Kisa Gautami's story shows, the desire to bring back the dead is not new, but there is great benefit in allowing grief to run its course, including a felt sense of compassion for oneself and all others who have ever experienced similar forms of grief.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Deceased U.S. lawmaker's social media endorses candidate for his vacant seat
Ranking member Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., speaks during a committee on House Administration Oversight Subcommittee and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Subcommittee joint hearing, April 19, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) More than a month after his death, Virigina congressman Gerry Connolly's social media accounts sprang back to life, endorsing his former chief of staff running to succeed him. Connolly, who died on May 21 at the age of 75 following a battle with esophageal cancer, had previously endorsed James Walkinshaw before his death. But Tuesday's activity – with renewed posts on X and Facebook – surprised many online and sparked debate around digital afterlives for public figures. 'Early voting starts TODAY in Va-11! Before passing, Gerry Connolly endorses @JamesWalkinshaw to carry the torch,' Connolly's official account posted on X. A nearly identical message appeared on his Facebook page. Early voting starts TODAY in VA-11! This is our first chance to stand up for our workers, our schools, our democracy,... Posted by Gerry Connolly on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Connolly represented Virgina's 11th congressional district, which includes parts of northern Virigina, since 2009. He served as the ranking Democratic member of the House Oversight Committee. His death came weeks after announcing he would not seek re-election due to his battle with cancer. Connolly's X account's bio states: 'All posts made with the consent of the Connolly's family.' Walkinshaw, once Connolly's chief of staff and now a Fairfax County supervisor, remains one of the 10 Democratic candidates competing in the June 28 primary for the special election ballot. This marks the second time in recent months that the social media accounts of a deceased U.S. lawmaker was activated after death. The X account for Rep. Sylvester Turner (D-Texas), who died March 5, began following members of Congress and reporters in April.
Irish Times
22-06-2025
- Irish Times
The victim delivered a searing impact statement. Just one thing felt off
It was a routine enough tableau; a judge, sitting at the bench, watching the victim of a violent attack address a courtroom via video as they forgave their attacker and asked for leniency. The judge held the fate of the perpetrator, already found guilty and awaiting sentencing, in their hands. As the video statement ended, the judge commented that he 'loved' it, that he 'heard the forgiveness'. It was a moving moment. The only issue was that the victim had been dead for three and a half years. The video was an AI -generated victim impact statement from a murdered man, Christopher Pelkey. This use of synthetically generated video and audio of a murder victim in an Arizona court last month felt like another 'puffer jacket pope' moment. The viral AI-generated image of Pope Francis in a white Balenciaga-style down jacket fooled millions and catapulted image generation tools into the cultural mainstream. Now, along with popes in puffer jackets, we have another watershed moment in 'ghostbots'. READ MORE Unlike the people it depicts, the 'digital afterlife industry', as it is more formally known, is alive and kicking. Companies with names such as HereAfter AI and You Only Virtual allow users to create digital archives of themselves so that the people they leave behind can interact with 'them' once they are gone. These apps market themselves to the living or bypass the person being digitally cloned altogether. The bereaved are now offered the promise of 'regenerating' their deceased relatives and friends. People out there are, at this moment, interacting with virtual renderings of their mothers and spouses on apps with names such as Re:memory and Replika. They don't need the participation or consent of the deceased. The video used to reanimate Christopher Pelkey was created using widely available tools and a few simple reference points – a YouTube interview and his obituary photo, according to The New York Times . This gives the generated footage the feel of a decent cheapfake rather than a sophisticated deepfake. Watching it, you find yourself in the so-called 'uncanny valley', that feeling you get when interacting with a bot, when your brain knows something is not quite right. This person is too serene, too poreless, too ethereal as they stare into your eyes and talk about their own death. Pelkey's sister wrote the script, imagining the message she believed her brother would have wanted to deliver. This includes the synthetic version of Pelkey addressing 'his' killer: 'It is a shame we encountered each other that day in those circumstances. In another life, we probably could have been friends. I believe in forgiveness and in God, who forgives. I always have and I still do.' [ Why Greeks are in pole position when it comes to artificial intelligence Opens in new window ] I do not doubt that the Pelkey family had good intentions. They had a point they wanted to make, saw a tool to let them do it, and were permitted to do so by the court. They also likely believe they know what their lost loved one would have wanted. But should anyone really have the power to put words in the mouth and voice of the deceased? We often fret about AI image and video generation tools being used to mislead us, to trick us as voters or targets of scams. But deception and manipulation are not the same thing. In that Arizona courtroom there was no intention to deceive: no one thought this was the actual murder victim speaking. Yet that does not diminish its emotional impact. If we can have the murdered plea for peace, does that mean we could also have AI ghosts asking for vengeance, retribution or war? Political actors have embraced generative AI, with its ability to cheaply make persuasive, memorable content. Despite fears it would be used for disinformation, most public use cases are of non-deceptive 'soft fakes'. An attack ad against Donald Trump, for example, featured audio of a synthetic version of his voice saying out loud something he had only written in a tweet. However, the real political AI innovation is happening in India, where last year candidates did things such as create videos of them speaking in languages they do not know, and even generate digital 'endorsements' from long dead figures. One candidate had the voice of his father, who died from Covid in 2020, tell voters; 'Though I died, my soul is still with all of you ... I can assure you that my son, Vijay, will work for the betterment of Kanniyakumari.' Vijay won. People have long tried to speak for the dead, often to further their own ends. AI turbo charges this into a kind of morbid ventriloquism, rendered in high definition and delivered with reverential sincerity. But the danger isn't that we mistake these digital ghosts for the real thing, it's that we know what they are, and still acquiesce to being emotionally manipulated by them. Maybe now we all need to look into whether we need to write a will with a new kind of DNR: Do Not Regenerate.
